I am now a one gun hunter.

[Sitting Bull]

Finally made it down to a one gun hunter. I kept my Ruger M77mk11 30-06 in stainless laminate with a Leupold FX3 6x42.
I have a question and would like your opinions. I am looking for an all purpose bullet for deer, black bear and elk. I do re load. So what would you recommend?
Would you consider putting on a Swaro z5 with BT or BRH reticle ? Or keep the leupold and sight in for max point blank range. I can’t see me shooting past 400yrds.
Thanks for the help.

[rugerfan]

If you can find them, I would be loading a 165 accubond for an all purpose bullet.

[birdseye]

X2 on the 165gr Accubobd

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by birdseye

X2 on the 165gr Accubobd

X3

I use them exclusively now

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by huntinstuff

X3

I use them exclusively now

That’s what I use in my 308. Been very hard to find any without paying insane prices for them. Thankfully my rifle likes them and they were the first and only thing I’ve tried. Last group I shot was less than 1/2” which is excellent for me!

The op won’t go wrong with a 165 or 180 accubond or tsx/ttsx in a 3006. Whatever you find I’d recommend buying as many as you can because who knows when you’ll find them again.

Makes me miss my 06.

[obsessed1]

I used to shoot 165 AB only for years. Then switched to 168 Etips for a couple then back to the 165s then they got hard to find so 150 ABs but ended up completely switching to 165 interlocks.....lol they all work. Still have a box of Etips and 150ABs on the shelf and my last 30 or so 165 ABs....honestly I havent found much of a difference on deer between the interlocks and the noslers out to 350 or so so I have just switched to the cheaper bullets....This is in a 308...my 30-06 I have tried all these as well in the 180gr weight....decided the Hornady were just fine too..... neither of these rifles are the one I grab when chasing elk or moose especially if shots might be a bit further out but I have no doubt a well placed bullet will do the deed...

[brewster29]

Congrats on downsizing...I recall you struggled giving up on the 444 Marlin.

If it was mine I would be shooting 150 TTSX Barnes which seem to be readily available, unlike Accubonds. For hunting rifles I don't like twisting dials much and have learned I don't care that much for Christmas tree reticles that need a chart either. I do like the Leupold B&C reticle, though. Sighted at 200 you are good to 500 with pretty much any 2900-3000 fps load.

I also always liked MPBR sighting since most game is taken inside 400 anyway. Sight it 3 high at a hundred and your mpbr should be around 325, hold high but still on fur for 400. And think of all the money you saved not buying that Z5.

[scalerman]

x2 for Barnes

[wildrose]

X3 on the 165gr they work

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by wildrose

X3 on the 165gr they work

Yup.....find one brand that groups well and never look back!

On another note pick up a back up rifle too, I always bring two when going on hunts away from home just in case something goes south with your main rifle at least you can still carry on hunting.

[DiabeticKripple]

175gr LRX

Good to about 500yds. I have no intention of shooting that far at game.

[jayquiver]

I think the Z5 2.4-12x50 would be the perfect scope for that rifle. I normally don't like 50 mil objectives but the low power of 2.4, I would make that trade off. I would probably go with the duplex and BT as I found the BRH a little busy for me.

Bullet weights between 165 and 180 would be ideal ...lots of good choices

I have never owned a 30-06 but I think I will be soon. Seems like a great option for what you want.